Apparatus for grinding valves, valve seats, and cylinder ridges



Oct. 6, 1964 H. R. BECKMAN APPARATUS FOR GRINDING VALVES, VALVE SEATS, AND CYLINDER RIDGES Filed Aug. 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HARRY R. BECKMAN BY FULWIDER, PATTON,

RIEBER,LEE & UTECHT AT TOR NEYS Oct. 6, 1964 H. R. BECKMAN APPARATUS FOR GRINDING VALVES, VALVE SEATS, AND CYLINDER RIDGES Filed Aug. 13, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG6 6% INVENTOR. HARRY R.. BECKMAN BY FULWIDER, PAT-TON,

RIEBER, LEE & UTECHT ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,151,423 APPARATUS FOR GRINDING VALVES, VALVE SEATS, AND CYLINDER RIDGES Harry R. Beckman, 4359 De Ora Way, Long Beach, Calif. Filed Ang. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 216,535 7 Claims. (63!. 51-470) This invention relates generally to grinding apparatus, and more particularly to means for grinding various parts of an internal combustion engine.

The present days have freqeuntly been characterized as the era of the automobile. This, of course, stems from the fact that many of our activities today require considerable movement from one place to another within a relatively short period of time. The automobile, of course, has been found particularly well suited for transportation of persons, although it is subject to certain predictable malfunctions.

The present day automobile has, as its source of power, an internal combustion engine having approximately six or eight cylinders wherein pistons are caused to move at a relatively fast rate, such movement being transmitted to the wheels of the automobile to provide the desired comotion. Internal combustion engines comprise valve members which also move at an extremely fast rate for controlling the admission of combustible fuel to the combustion chamber and for exhausting the exhaust gases therefrom. Such valves and the valve seats for cooperation therewith frequently become burned and scored so as to prevent true seating engagement of the valve member on the valve seat.

Various types of grinding machines have heretofore been provided for grinding the'valve members and valve seats. Such machines have generally been electrically operable and have been exceedingly cumbersome and large. This has been particularly objectionable since grinding machines of this type must be transported to the engine to be repaired. Also, such prior grinding machines have been expensive to manufacture, and hence have been beyoud the financial reach of many automobile repair facilities.

In addition to the foregoing, prior grinding machines have been objectionable because they have not performed the desired function with maximum accuracy and ease of operation.

In view of the foregoing it is an object of the present invention to provide grinding apparatus which is easy to operate and which is extremely accurate in performing grinding operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide grinding apparatus which does not require a source of electrical power.

Another object of the present invention is to provide grinding apparatus as characterized above which utilizes, as the source of power, compressed air which is available at substantially all automobile repair facilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide grinding apparatus as characterized above wherein the grinding operations on various different parts are referenced to a common point or axis to insure that all of the surfaces are ground to the proper size and shape.

Another object of the present invention is to provide valve grinding apparatus for grinding the valve surfaces in proper relation to the valve stem.

Another object of the present inention is to provide means for grinding the valve seat of an internal combustion engine, the grinding of such seat being referenced or related to the position of the valve stem within the engine.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide grinding apparatus as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective elevational view of a portable air motor for use with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective elevational view of a valve grinding wheel for use in the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective elevational View of a valve seat grinding wheel according to the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective elevational View of a sleeve for use in valve grinding;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional View of the air motor and associated parts for grinding a valve;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of apparatus for grinding a valve seat; and

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown therein an air motor 2% having an operating unit 22 and a handle 24. Pivotally mounted on handle 24, as by a mounting screw 26, is an operating lever 28 for controlling the operation of air motor 20.

Operating unit 22 may be formed integrally with handle 24, and comprises a main housing 30 having end plates 32 and 34. Such end plates are held in assembled relation to main body 30 by means of fastening bolts as shown at 36. Main body 30 of operating unit 22 is formed with a plurality of exhaust openings or ports as shown at 30a, for purposes which will hereinafter be explained in detail.

The details of construction of air motor 20 are shown in FIGURE 5. Handle 24 is provided with an external gripping surface 24a to accommodate the operators hand; A centrally located through opening 24b is provided within handle member 24, one end of which is enlarged and is provided with internal fastening threads as shown at 240. An adaptor 3a is threadedly positioned within the enlarged end of opening 24b, said adaptor 38 being provided with a threaded through opening 38a for receiving a complementally formed fitting (not shown) on one end of a flexible conduit (also not shown) leading from a suitable source of fluid under pressure.

Although it is not necessary for successful practice of the instant invention, it has been found preferable to employ fluid under a pressure of approximately pounds per square inch. As will hereinafter become more apparent, such fluid pressure causes the air motor to rotate at approximately 15,000 revolutions per minute. This has been found ideal for purposes of the present invention.

The right-hand end of opening 24-!) as shown in FIG- URE 5 is reduced as at 24d. Immediately adjacent such reduced portion is a valve chamber 24:: wherein a rotatable valve member 46 is positioned within a bearing sleeve 42 for controlling the flow of fluid pressure from the opening 24b to the operating unit 22.

Rotatable valve member 40 is provided with a through fiow control port 40a and a pair of annular grooves 40b and 400 on either side thereof for receiving O-rings 44 and 46. Valve operating handle 28 is nonrotatably secured to valve member 40 by the fastening screw 26.

Valve member 40 may be provided with a torsion spring as shown at 48 for returning the said valve member to its flow preventing position as shown in FIGURE 5. Sleeve 42 is provided with a pair of aligned openings .3 42a and 42b which afford fluid flow to the operating unit 22 whenever the flow control port 40a of the valve member 40 is aligned therewith.

Operating unit 22 is provided with a central cavity 50 having a reduced inlet opening 50a aligned with the opening 421) in the sleeve 42. Suitable liners as shown at 52, 54 and 56 are positioned within the chamber 50 to provide an impeller chamber 58.

The end wall members 32 and 34 are generally cupshaped to provide bearing chambers as shown at 32a and 34a respectively. Mounted within bearing chamber 32a is a bearing member 69 having an outer bearing race 60a which is held in fixed position within end wall member 32 by an annualar spacer 62. Bearing member 60 further comprises an inner race 60!) and a plurality of bearing members 690.

In like fashion, there is provided in the bearing chamber 34a of the end wall member 343 a bearing member 64 having an outer race 64a which is held in fixed position within end wall member 34 by an annular spacer 66. Bearing 64 further comprises an inner bearing race 64b and suitable bearing members 640- As will be readily apparent to those persons skilled in the art, the races of the various bearings members may be press fitted into the adjoining members to insure that such members function in the proper manner.

Each end wall member 32 and 34 is provided with a centrally located opening as shown at 32b and 34b, respectively.

Mounted within the operating unit 22 of air motor 20 is an impeller assembly 70 which includes a hollow sleeve 72, the lower end portion 72a of which is press fitted into the inner bearing race 64b of bearing member 64. Sleeve 72 is formed with an annular flange 72b which is aligned with the annular liner 52. Such annular flange 72b affords a shoulder which abuts against the inner bearing race 60b of bearing member 6%) when the latter is press fitted over the sleeve 72 as shown in FIGURE 5.

The upper end portion 720 of sleeve 72 extends through the central opening 321) of end wall member 32 and is provided with a relatively large annular flange 72d adjacent end 722, the latter of which is provided with external fastening threads 72 As will hereinafter become more apparent, fastening threads 72 and the annular flange 72d cooperate to firmly mount and retain grinding wheels in proper operating position.

Sleeve 72 is further formed with a through central opening 72g which is coaxially arranged with respect to the bearing members 60 and 64. The upper end portion of opening 72g is reduced as at 72h to provide an annular internal shoulder 72j in the area of the annular flange 72d.

Impeller assembly 70 is further provided with a plurality of radially disposed impeller blades 74 which are secured to the outer periphery of sleeve 72 to form an integral unit therewith. The blades 74 are mounted on sleeve 72 adjacent the annular flange 72b, and are so disposed that fluid pressure entering charnber 58 through the reduced inlet opening 59a of chamber 50 causes the blades 74 to turn the sleeve 72 within its bearings 60 and 64. For directing the flow of fluid onto the blades 74 there is provided within chamber 58 a vane 76 mounted on a pin 78, the opposite ends of the latter being positioned in liners 52 and 56.

The aforedescribed motor 20 is thus operable to rotate sleeve 72 at a relatively fast rate whenever the operating lever 28 of valve member-4i is properly manipulated to afford fluid pressure to the blades 74. In this regard, valve member 40 may be so constructed as to alternatively afford fluid pressure in either of two directions on blades 74 in accordance with alternative manipulation of operating lever 28. Vane 76 may assist in so directing the fluid pressure on the impeller blades to thereby alternatively afford reverse rotation of sleeve 72 as desired. Such modifications are believed to be Within the skill of persons skilled in the art.

Firmly secured to end wall member 34 as by rivets and 82 is a mounting plate 84 having an opening 84a aligned with the opening 34b in the end wall member 34. Member 84 is also provided with a slot 8411 which intersects the opening 84a. A clamp means or an adjustment screw 86 is provided across the slot 84b in threaded engagement with only one side thereof whereby tightening of screw 86 causes the opposite sides of slot 84b to be drawn together so as to decrease the size of opening 84a in member 84.

FIGURE 2 shows a grinding wheel 90 formed of suitable abrasive material firmly mounted in an adaptor 92. Grinding wheel 90 and adaptor 92 are formed with aligned central openings, the opening 92a of adapter 92 being provided with internal fastening threads. Grinding wheel 90 is formed with the beveled surface 90a which provides a cup-shaped upper surface for such grinding wheel.

FIGURE 4 shows a bearing sleeve 94 which is generally tubular in construction and has a reduced intermediate portion 94a. Bearing sleeve 94 is provided with a through opening 94b which corresponds to the opening normally found in valve guide means of internal combustion engines.

When it is desired to grind a valve, it is first necessary to select a bearing sleeve 94 of proper size for properly receiving the stem of the valve.

With thumb screw 86 in its loose position, the selected bearing sleeve 94 is inserted upwardly Within sleeve 72 of air motor 20 until the upper end portion thereof abuts against the annular shoulder 72j. The outer diameter of the enlarged end portions of bearing sleeve 94 should be such as to firmly engage the through opening 72g in sleeve 72. The thumb screw 86 is then tightened until the mounting plate 84 firmly grips the lower end portion so as to hold the same in non-rotatable position.

The grinding wheel assembly of FIGURE 2 is threadedly mounted on the upper end portion 72e of stem 72. Thereafter, the valve to be ground, as shown at in FIGURE 5, is inserted downwardly within the bearing sleeve 94. With this arrangement, the air motor 20 is operated so as to rotate grinding wheel 90. Throughout such movement of grinding wheel 90, of course, valve member 100 remains relatively stationary due to the stationary position of bearing sleeve 94. However, in the event it is desired to rotate valve member 100 by hand, it is merely necessary to turn the lower end portion thereof which extends beyond the mounting plate 84. Also, in the event it is desired to exert pressure on the valve member 100, a vacuum cup as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 5 may be fastened to the valve as shown therein. Thus, the valve member 100 is provided with a beveled annular valve surface which is referenced to the stem of the valve itself. That is, since bearing sleeve 94 corresponds in all particulars to the valve guide means within the engine, the positioning of valve member 100 in sleeve 94 insures that the proper ground surface will be provided on the valve member.

To properly grind the valve seat for cooperation with valve member 100, the operation shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 is elfected. Shown in FIGURE 6 is an engine block having a valve port 120a which may be either an intake port or an exhaust port as the case may be. A valve seat120b is provided in block 120.

Firmly positioned within the block 120 is a valve guide 122 wherein the stem of the valve is rectilinearly movable between flow permitting and flow preventing positions under the influence of operating means (not shown) employed for that specific purpose.

For grinding valve seat 1201; there is positioned within sleeve 122 a simulated valve stem 124 having an enlarged portion 12411 which is incapable of fitting within sleeve 122 and a reduced portion 12% insertable therewithin; A tapered or conical surface 1240 is formed between the portions 124a and 1241: for engagement as shown with the upper end portion of the valve guide means 122.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 7 of the drawings, the lower end portion 1245 of stem 124 is beveled or tapered as shown at 124e. Also, said end portion is provided with a threaded opening as shown at 1247.

An expansible fastening member 126 is mounted on the beveled lower end portion 124d and is provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots 126a which permit of expansion of member 126 as will hereinafter appear. Member 126 should be formed of resilient or flexible material such as spring steel.

An adjusting nut 128 extends through a suitable opening in the bottom wall of member 126 for threaded engagement within the opening 124 in the lower end portion of member 124. Screw 128 may be provided with a head 128a the outer periphery of which is knurled to permit of finger adjustment of the expansible member 126.

The valve stem simulator 124 is inserted within the valve guide 122 as shown in FIGURE 6 until the tapered portion 124a effectively centers the member 124 with respect to such valve guide. Thereafter, the set screw 128a is turned so as to effect expansion of the side walls of the expansible member 126. Such side walls are thereby caused to firmly engage the wall of valve guide 122 so as to cooperate with the aforementioned tapered surface 124C to accurately center member 124 with respect to sleeve 122.

Thereafter, a threaded sleeve 130 having a threaded central opening 130a is inserted into the sleeve 72 of the air motor 20 until an annular shoulder 13% engages the shoulder 72 of member 72. The thumb screw 86, of course, is then firmly tightened to hold threaded sleeve 130 in fixed position with respect to the air motor 20.

The threaded central opening 130a of sleeve 13% is of such size as to firmly but slidingly receive the upper end portion of stem 124.

A manually operable crank 132 provided with a threaded portion 132a is threadedly positioned within the sleeve 130 as shown in FIGURE 6. Crank 132 further comprises an offset handle portion 13212 which can be rotated to cause the threaded end portion 132a to move with respect to sleeve 130.

The valve seat grinding wheel is shown in FIGURES 3 and 6 of the drawings. It comprises an abrasive portion 134 which is firmly fastened to a mounting sleeve 136, the latter of which is formed with a threaded through opening 136a. Sleeve 136, of course, is employed for firmly mounting the grinding wheel on the end portion 72a of sleeve 72 of the air motor 20.

With the valve stem simulator 124 positioned as shown in the drawings, and with the grinding wheel 134 properly mounted on air motor 20, the latter is inverted and positioned on stem 124 as shown. Thus the beveled surface 134a of grinding wheel 134 provides a valve seat 12Gb in the engine block in proper relation to the valve member 100 as it operates within the engine.

By moving the air motor downwardly over member 124, the beveled surface 134a of grinding member 134 ultimately engages the valve seat 12% so as to effect the desired grinding operation. Crank member 132 provides a Vernier adjustment such that in the event it is desired to lower and raise the grinding wheel 134 in small increments with respect to valve seat 120b, it is merely necessary to rotate crank 132 by means of operating handle 1321;. This may be particularly desirable to insure that excessive grinding of the valve seat does not result. That is, to insure that the valve seat remains of proper size only a predetermined small amount of grinding is necessary.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention I am fully aware that many 6 modifications thereof are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Grinding apparatus for use in grinding parts of an internal combustion engine comprising in combination, a source of fluid pressure, pressure-operated motive power means comprising a rotatable impeller and valve means controlling the flow of fluid pressure from said source to said impeller, an elongated outer hollow sleeve coupled to said impeller and mounting a rotatable grinding wheel adjacent one end thereof, an elongated inner hollow sleeve coaxially and slidably received within and rotatable relative to said outer sleeve and adapted to receive an elongated shaft to establish a reference axis for grinding, and I clamp means operable to engage said inner sleeve and constrain said inner sleeve against axial removal from said outer sleeve, said inner sleeve being freely slidably removable from said outer sleeve when said clamp means is not operated. I

2. Grinding apparatus for use in grinding parts of an internal combustion engine comprising in combination, pneumatically operated motive power means having a rotatable impeller formed with an opening aligned with the axis of rotation thereof, an outer sleeve secured within said opening of said impeller and mounting a rotatable grinding wheel, and an inner sleeve coaxially and slidably received within and rotatable relative to said outer sleeve and having a through opening coaxially disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of said impeller, said through opening being adapted to receive an elongated shaft to establish a reference axis for grinding, and clamp means operable to engage said inner sleeve and constrain said inner sleeve against axial removal from said outer sleeve, said inner sleeve being freely slidably removable from said outer sleeve when said clamp means is not operated.

3. Grinding apparatus for use in grinding parts of an internal combustion engine according to claim 2 wherein the through opening in said inner sleeve is formed with fastening threads for receiving a threaded operating element whereby rotation of said operating element axially moves said grinding apparatus relative to an elongated shaft axially slidable in said through opening and in en gagement with said operating element.

4. Grinding apparatus for use in grinding parts of an internal combustion engine comprising in combination, pneumatically operated motive power means formed with a housing and having a rotatable hollow impeller therewithin, means on said impeller for mounting rotatable grinding means, a sleeve coaxially and slidably received within and rotatable relative to said hollow impeller, said sleeve having a through opening adapted to receive an elongated shaft to afford a reference for grinding related parts of said engine, and clamp means on said housing operable for gripping said sleeve to hold the same stationary with respect to said rotatable impeller and to constrain said sleeve against axial withdrawal from said impeller, said sleeve being freely slidably removable from said impeller when said clamp means is not operated.

5. Valve grinding apparatus comprising in combination, pneumatically operated motive power means comprising a housing and a rotatable impeller, a grinding wheel fixed to said impeller for rotation therewith, and a hollow tubular member coaxially and slidably received within and rotatable relative to said impeller, whereby the stem of a valve member can be positioned within said tubular member during grinding of the valve surface thereof by said rotatable grinding wheel, and clamp means on said housing operable for gripping said tubular member to constrain said tubular member against axial withdrawal from said impeller, said tubular member being freely slidably removable from said impeller when said clamp means is not operated.

6. Grinding apparatus comprising in combination, pneumatically operated motive power means comprising a rotatable hollow sleeve, a grinding wheel having an outwardly oriented concave face, and fixed to said sleeve for rotation therewith, a tubular bearing member axially movable within said sleeve, and means for maintaining said bearing member stationary relative to said sleeve whereby the stern of a valve member can be positioned within said bearing member with the valve surface thereof located adjacent said concave face for grinding said valve surface.

7. Grinding apparatus for grinding the valve seat in an internal combustion engine comprising in combination, a reference member insertable into the valve stem guide means of the internal combustion engine, pneumatically operated motive power means having a housing and a rotatable impeller, a grinding wheel fixed to said impeller for rotation therewith, a hollow sleeve coupled to said impeller, a hollow guide member coaxially and slidably received within and rotatable relative to said hollow sleeve for receiving said reference member whereby operation, of said impeller eflects grinding of the valve seat in proper relation to the valve stem guide means, and clamp means on said housing operable for gripping said guide member to constrain said guide member against axial removal from said hollow sleeve, said guide member being freely slidably removable from said hollow sleeve when said clamp means is not operated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,636,560 Hall July 19, 1927 1,760,493 Hall May 27, 1930 1,810,176 Hott June 16, 1931 1,864,027 Pedersen June 21, 1932 1,940,024 Shaft Dec. 19, 1933 1,991,764 Lovgren Feb. 19, 1935 2,338,484 Beverlin Jan. 4, 1944 2,338,763 Hall et al. Jan. 11, 1944 2,525,119 Dunn Oct. 10, 1950 2,659,186 Burkholder Nov. 17, 1953 2,772,529 Dutro Dec. 4, 1956 2,795,904 Arp June 18, 1957 2,908,120 Jensen Oct. 13, 1959 2,957,471 Kent Oct. 25, 1960 2,977,727 Gray et al. Apr. 4, 1961 3,021,651 Fuller et al Feb. 20, 1962 3,046,968 White July 31, 1962 

4. GRINDING APPARATUS FOR USE IN GRINDING PARTS OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, PNEUMATICALLY OPERATED MOTIVE POWER MEANS FORMED WITH A HOUSING AND HAVING A ROTATABLE HOLLOW IMPELLER THEREWITHIN, MEANS ON SAID IMPELLER FOR MOUNTING ROTATABLE GRINDING MEANS, A SLEEVE COAXIALLY AND SLIDABLY RECEIVED WITHIN AND ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO SAID HOLLOW IMPELLER, SAID SLEEVE HAVING A THROUGH OPENING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN ELONGATED SHAFT TO AFFORD A REFERENCE FOR GRINDING RELATED PARTS OF SAID ENGINE, AND CLAMP MEANS ON SAID HOUSING OPERABLE FOR GRIPPING SAID SLEEVE TO HOLD THE SAME STATIONARY WITH RESPECT TO SAID ROTATABLE IMPELLER AND TO CONSTRAIN SAID SLEEVE AGAINST AXIAL WITHDRAWAL FROM SAID IMPELLER, SAID SLEEVE BEING FREELY SLIDABLY REMOVABLE FROM SAID IMPELLER WHEN SAID CLAMP MEANS IS NOT OPERATED. 